If a tornado is sighted this year in or near Callaway County and an official warning is issued, more than 14,000 Callaway County residents are scheduled to receive an automated call informing them of the danger.
Michelle Kidwell, director of Callaway County Emergency Management, said the emergency calls will go to about 14,000 telephone land lines in Callaway County and to about 400 cell phones of people who have signed up for the service.
"During the statewide tornado drill at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, sirens throughout the county will be sounded. We have asked all schools to participate in the statewide tornado drill," Kidwell said. "They have been asked to review what they would do if a tornado warning is issued."
If there is stormy weather on Tuesday anywhere in Missouri, the statewide tornado drill will be postponed to 1:30 Thursday.
Kidwell said the automated telephone calls will be used when a real tornado is spotted in or near Callaway County. The automated calls will go to everyone with a land line unless the owner of a phone number has signed up not to receive the automated phone message. Kidwell said anyone wanting to sign up for the automated notification on their cell phone can call her at 573-592-2480 or email her at [email protected].